August friedrich wilhelm kreinsen



. W. KREINSEN (No Model.) P

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MBLTING'METALS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY. No.513,270. Patented Jan. 23, 1894.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST FRIEDRICH \VILHELM KREINSEN, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MELTING METALS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 513,270, dated January23, 1894.

Application filed September 28,1892- Serial No. 447,134. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, AUGUST FRIEDRICH WILHELM KREINSEN, of Hamburg, inthe Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented a newand usefulProcess of and Apparatus for Melting Metals and other Substances byMeans of Electricity, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,

This invention relates to the melting of metals and other materials bythe aid of electricity.

According to these improvements, the fusion of the metal is efiected inelectrically heated crucibles or receptacles, but it may be primarilyfused, by being brought into contact with a carbon electrode throughwhich and the material a sufficient electric current is caused to pass.

I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate various modifications of my improvements, andin which- Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of oneconstruction of my improved apparatus for melting by electricity. Fig. 2is a plan view of a modified construction. Fig. 3 is a verticaltransverse sectional view of a further modification. Fig. 4 is aplan-view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In Fig. 1,75 is a positive electrode which may best consist of anelectric light carbon, and m is the negative electrode which consists ofthe material to be melted. Both of the electrodes are movable andadjustable so that they may be moved toward or withdrawn from each otheras may be required either by hand or by mechanical means. The fusion ofthe material is thus effected, on the passage of a current, without theuse of a second carbon electrode. The electrodes m, are arranged abovethe center of the crucible g and above them there is arranged the cap orshield f, to prevent the escape of any sparks and splashes from thefusing material. As the material is melted, it drops into the hollow t,of the crucible where it is remelted or kept in fusion by the means tobe hereinafter described. ductors.

In the modification. represented by Fig. 2,

a and o are the conthe positive electrode, instead of being a carbonrod, is a rotary carbon disk 70 against which the negative electrode mof the material to be melted is pushed. The current may be conveyed tothe disk by means of the strong spring w, pressing upon the spindle ofthe disk.

The means which I employ for heating the crucible or receiver areillustrated by Fig. 1. One or more spirals of platinum wire or platinumribbon 19, may be embedded in the walls of the crucible or surround itclosely. This circuit is arranged in a shunt from the main circuit andthe heat produced by the resistance of the platinum will be transmittedthrough the crucible to its contents.

In Fig. 2, an ordinary plumbago crucible g or 71 of high electricalresistance, is inserted in a thin platinum vessel 13 or p of similarform as shown. The platinum vessel receives a current through theterminals 72 0, between which the continuity of the metal is destroyed,so that the current is compelled to traverse the whole of the metal ofthe vessel 19 or 19 thereby raising it to a temperature of from 1,600 to2,000 centigrade if de sired. This high temperature is transmittedthrough the crucible to the material contained therein and effects itsfusion or maintains itin melted condition as required. The platinumvessel may be surrounded by a nonconductor of heat, and to prevent thewaste of platinum, the apparatus may be worked in a vacuum, and if themetals also be poured from the crucible or cast in the vacuum, theoccurence of blisters and air bubbles will be avoided.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- In an apparatus for melting metals and othersubstances by electricity, the combination, with an electrode composedof the metal or substance to be melted, and a carbon electrode, of acrucible and a cap on the crucible, the electrodes being located withinsaid cap, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

AUGUST FRIEDRICH WILllELllI KREIN SEN.

Witnesses:

AUG. WEDEKING, CARL Orro.

